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Workers Needed...Please Reply
by Darlene Casino It has been said that 90% of the work in the Church is done by 10% of the people. I've kept that fact in mind as a lay-leader in Women's Ministry. There are many ways to reach out to people in need within the local church and without. A basic need is childcare workers for almost every activity or service. And even the smallest church needs Sunday School Teachers and helpers. To provide a potluck supper or a formal dinner, many hands are needed. Choirs need voices. Others are needed to do visitations of all kinds or provide transportation or stock a food pantry. Depending on the size and vision of the church, opportunities to serve are endless. Most are filled with volunteers. Most often, a need is mentioned in the Sunday bulletin with a hope and a prayer that some soul will come forward. Occasionally, creative ways of recruiting are necessary. Sometimes a military approach is used; it feels a little like this: "Take two steps forward. Congratulations. You have just volunteered to" My friend is great at getting a position filled or a job done. She approaches the unsuspecting person with a warm smile and a happy greeting. Next comes some sweet conversation. By this time she has put her candidate at ease. Then comes the MESSAGE: "I have been praying and the Lord laid you on my heart" Lastly, this comes to my mind: Those who know they are gifted, called and chosen for a special work; Those who own a vision, are usually the most satisfied and will serve in a given ministry the longest. Their enablement will come from within themselves Does this mean only a teacher can teach, or a cook make a meal or nursery worker be a mom? I don't think so for we are all admonished to serve and help. Yet, most likely we will find ways to incorporate our giftedness and strengths into whatever work we do. Does it mean that other means of recruitment are not of God? Again, I don't think so. Many who are reluctantly pressed into service find great joy and personal growth as they see God use them. Who knows? Maybe they even will discover a spiritual gift that has lain dormant. A proper response to any recruitment is always, "I will pray about it." Amen? I am a freelance writer and a retired nurse. I have 3 grown sons, 2 daughters-in-love and 5 grandchildren. My husband and I will celebrate our 48th anniversary in '08'. I became serious about writing after my retirement. My work has only been published on-line thus far. Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |